MLB Rumors

Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera continued his torrid pace Thursday, homering for the fourth straight game. He has six home runs and 13 RBI over his last four games while going 9 for 15 with five walks.

Cabrera's .391 batting average and .701 slugging percentage lead all major-league players, and his .467 on-base percentage ranks second to Joey Votto. He's been hitless just twice in his last 34 games. He's the early favorite for 2013 AL MVP.

Twins left fielder Josh Willingham hit two home runs against the Tigers Thursday, but it wasn't enough as Minnesota lost 7-6. Willingham went 2 for 5 with four RBI, his first with four-RBI game this season.

Willingham has hit .212/.368/.453 with eight home runs and 23 RBI in 171 plate appearances. His multi-homer performance was his first since July 24.

Returning from a bruised hip, Royals catcher Salvador Perez went 3 for 4 with an RBI before being removed for a pinch runner in the ninth inning of a 5-4 loss to the Angels Thursday. It was Perez's eighth multi-hit game in May, raising his season line to .320/.336/.422 with a home run in 152 plate appearances.

Angels first baseman Mark Trumbo extended his hitting streak to eight games Thursday, going 2 for 4, including his 11th home run, in a 5-4 win over the Royals.

Trumbo's line has climbed to .284/.339/.532 in 209 plate appearances, and he's one of two Angels with a slugging percentage over .500 this season.

Angels left fielder Mike Trout hit his 10th home run of the season Thursday, a mammoth shot off former Angel Ervin Santana in the first inning of a 5-4 win. Trout finished 2 for 4 with two runs scored and also stole his 10th base, making him the first player with 10 home runs and 10 steals in 2013.

Trout is 8 for 13 with two home runs, six runs scored, six RBI and two stolen bases in his past three games. He's hitting .302/.378/.582 in 217 plate appearances.

Tigers closer Jose Valverde retired the Twins in order in the ninth inning Thursday to earn his fifth save. He struck out two and lowered his ERA to 0.82 through 11 innings.

Valverde has been a stabilizing force at the back end of the bullpen since joining the team in late April.

Tigers starting pitcher Rick Porcello struggled through five innings against the Twins Thursday, allowing five earned runs on 10 hits and a walk while striking out two in a no-decision.

Porcello had been on a roll in his last four starts, but the poor outing Thursday raised his ERA to 6.28. It was also the first time in five starts that he struck out fewer than five batters. He next faces the Pirates at home Tuesday.

Twins pitcher Scott Diamond fell an out short of a quality start Thursday against the Tigers, allowing three earned runs in 5 2/3 innings while striking out five and walking one. He surrendered nine hits in the no-decision.

Diamond hasn't had a quality start in any of his last three games. His next chance is against the Brewers in Milwaukee Tuesday.

Royals starting pitcher Ervin Santana took on his old team, the Angels, Thursday night and surrendered four home runs while allowing five earend runs on eight hits in 7 2/3 innings.  Santana (3-4) struck out eight and walked none in the 5-4 loss.

Home runs were a problem for Santana with the Angels last season, when he allowed 39 in 30 starts. He had allowed six homers in eight starts heading into Thursday. The poor performance gives Santana a 3.14 ERA going into a matchup against the Cardinals Tuesday.

Angels closer Ernesto Frieri was removed from a save opportunity Thursday after surrendering two earned runs on three hits and a walk while getting just two outs. Robert Coello came in to get the final out, saving Frieri from a blown save.

It was Frieri's third straight appearance allowing at least one earned run, though he earned saves in each of his previous two games.